It’s All About Connections….

To start with this blog, I would like to thank everyone for reaching out, supporting me and letting me know I am not the only one to experience this Homesickness thing. As I said it was all new to me. But, by hearing the stories of others I realized its not “just me”, and with that came a knowledge and understanding I will get through this. Others who have gone before me shared their wisdom of what it was like for them, and folks sent me links on how to help with it and get through this. You have no idea how much I appreciate your love and support, it has made a difference.

If all goes well, this time tomorrow I should be on  the ferry about 15 minutes from Inishmore Island. The largest of the Aran islands in Galway Bay.  I have reserved a bike, and will pick that up sometime Wednesday. I will be there for 6 nights, and I want to ride, walk and write while I get the feel for the land, and yes I did bring rain gear just in case.

This morning I had a bit of anxiety/panic- who knows why, sometimes it just is, and after doing what I could, for the last few days- it just would not settle, so I took some medication for it, it was 1/4 of a pill, but it seemed to do the trick. It took the edge off and I was able to carry on and enjoy my day. I spent it walking around Sligo, writing, walking some more, watching ducks, pigeons and children. I thought about my last week here, the struggles, the accomplishments and growth, the people I have met and the amazing places I have scene.

I also wondered why I did not think of taking 1/4 of a pill before to help me. Well, its because the anxious brain does not always have the ability to think such things. And I also thought, if I am going to talk the talk and tell people there is no shame in taking medication, I should walk the walk. So once I was able to think these things, I took the medication. And it made a world of difference.

And with the ability to be calm, I could realize, and feel that even if I am over 7000 km from home, the people I love, who love me,and home, are right here with me, and that is huge. I was sitting by the river, writing when this realization came over me. The birds were singing, the river water sounded like  the wind gentle blowing through the cottonwood trees back home, and kids were laughing.

And something in me shifted and settled, and a calmness came over me. And I thought about connection and how it can make all the difference in the world, even 7000 km away from home.

And I thought of the work I do around mental health, and if I am ever doubt I make a difference, I will read this blog to remind myself, that I, and connection does make a difference.

Here in Ireland they have the Green Ribbon Campaign, to help bring awareness an to get people to start to openly talk about mental health. I found those ribbons today and promptly put one on my backpack. Why did I do this? Because I now what its like to realize your not alone, and we are ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE IN THE WORLD.

Thanks again for being on this journey with me, and onto the next adventure- which really means I have to go pack. Stay turned….

PS- here is the link to the green Ribbon campaign

http://www.yourmentalhealth.ie/get-involved/community-action/green-ribbon-campaign/